Next morning came, We see all the residence of the abandon church woke up from their sleep. One by one, they readied themselves for their day as they prepared the essentials needed for their endeavor to come this night. Movements were steady and purposeful as each person focused on their own preparations, making sure nothing was overlooked. The quiet atmosphere of the morning was filled with soft activity, signalling the importance of what awaited them later. Despite the calm start to the day, their actions reflected readiness and intent, as they continued organizing what they would need for the task ahead this night.
For the task of today that they were going to be doing, they had planned to go shopping for their clothes in preparation for the banquet tonight. It was supposed to be a simple outing, something routine and almost relaxing compared to everything else they had been dealing with. However, that plan ultimately proved unnecessary.
Right after they went out of their humble, run-down home, two ladies were already standing in front of it, with one of them, who has red hair, holding a box package of some sort. Their sudden presence immediately drew attention. This sparked a rising suspicion among the Hestians, and Hestia herself became wary the moment she saw the uniforms they wore. The familiar design was unmistakable.
It's the Apollo Familia.
"It's them," Lili said with wariness, her voice tightening as recognition settled in. She clearly remembered the two who had personally delivered the letter of invitation yesterday. "Those two gave us the letter when we were at the adventurers guild."
Bell and Hestia's expressions quickly turned uneasy. Members of the Apollo Familia appearing at their front door was not something they wanted to see first thing in the morning. The timing alone felt deliberate, and the air grew tense as the realization sank in.
Aurelius, on the other hand, wore a calm face, though there was a trace of caution behind his eyes. He was not afraid of the two, nor of any member of the Apollo Familia, but experience had taught him that carelessness invited trouble. Especially with the two of them showing up here of all places, remaining alert was simply the smarter choice.
'Cassandra and Daphne, if I remember correctly,' Aurelius thought, recalling the information about both the blue and red haired girls. Their identities were clear in his mind. 'Why are they here though? Is there something that they wanted from us? Or has the butterfly effect suddenly started to appear?'
Aurelius quietly scoured his eyes around the area, his gaze sweeping every nook and cranny for signs of an ambush. His attention sharpened with each passing second, but there was no movement, no hidden presence, no one in sight other than the two standing directly in front of his group.
Hestia, as their goddess, decided to speak towards the two women of the Apollons. "May I ask what are you doing in front of our home right now? Do you want something from us?" Her tone was calm, but there was a clear layer of caution beneath it, as if she was carefully measuring the situation before it could escalate any further.
The four of them awaited the answer of the two Apollons, their attention fully fixed on the pair standing before them. Suspense quietly built within the air, thick enough to be felt, as none of them dared to look away. Their gazes remained steady and observant, watching for any sudden movement or hidden intention.
The red haired Daphne decided to speak. "We're sent here by our captain and lord Apollo. On behalf of them both, we wanted to give you this package." Her voice carried a formal firmness, suggesting she was simply carrying out orders, yet her posture hinted at a restrained tension.
Daphne then walked forward for a bit accompanied by Cassandra. Their steps were measured and deliberate, as if they were trying not to provoke the four in front of them. She then stopped half way through their walk towards the distance of the four. With a controlled motion, she put down the package on the ground, clearly a sign of slight animosity towards them. Although, no hatred truly projected towards them either, only a distant professionalism mixed with unease.
She then spoke up once more, telling them the contents of the package. "In this package are the clothes for your familia members, lady Hestia. It is apart of our banquet customs here to give you and other familias sets of formal clothes for our invitation." Her explanation was direct and matter-of-fact, leaving little room for misunderstanding.
Cassandra nodded towards her friend's words. Though, an expression of nervousness was present on her face constantly since they're arrived. Her eyes flickered briefly between the four of them, betraying her discomfort despite her attempt to remain composed.
All four of them looked towards each other, feeling suspicious with exception of their captain. The silent exchange between them spoke volumes, each trying to gauge whether this gesture carried hidden intentions. Aurelius, breaking the ice, decided to volunteer himself to accept the gift. "I'll go and get it." His voice was steady, cutting through the tension as he stepped forward, signalling his decision to handle the situation personally.
As he walked towards the package and the Apollons, he once more watched for any signs of ambush, his eyes sharply scanning the area with practiced caution. Every subtle movement in his surroundings was noted, his posture tense but controlled. He did not allow himself to relax, even for a moment, as he carefully closed the distance between himself, the package, and the two Apollons waiting nearby.
After a moment of cautious walking, he finally arrived. Without lowering his guard, he bent down and picked up the package, immediately feeling the weight of the box in his hands. Thankfully, it was not something suspicious. The box was light. Light enough to logically suggest that it could possibly contain three sets of clothes, just as they had claimed. The absence of unusual weight eased a small portion of his suspicion, though his vigilance remained intact.
He then set the packaging to be held under his right arm, securing it firmly. "Thank you very much for this kind gift," Aurelius said with a slight nod toward the two Apollons, his tone calm and measured. He said nothing further beyond that, choosing not to prolong the interaction. The titan then turned around and started to walk back toward his Familia members, his steps steady and deliberate.
The two Apollons then decided to turn as well and headed off back towards their home. Though they tried to maintain their composure, sweat dropped from their faces as they felt the overwhelming presence of the Hestia Captain lingering in their minds. Even as they walked away, the pressure they had felt refused to fade easily.
'What does captain and that pervert god thinking?!' Daphne thought. The absurdity of the two she mentally mentioned struck her as utterly foolish in decision making. The situation replayed in her mind, and the more she considered it, the more ridiculous it seemed to her.
After arriving back toward his group, Bell asked about the contents of the package that had been given. "Is it really the clothes they mentioned, mister?" he asked, curiosity evident in both his voice and expression.
Aurelius shrugged his shoulders casually. He then proceeded to give the package to the rabbit. "How about you value it yourself? Let's hear all of your opinion on this. Though, I don't think that it's a bomb. The weight is not heavy to begin with for it to be any explosives in the box," he said, his reasoning straightforward.
Bell then took the packaging from his captain's hands as he valued it, carefully feeling the weight and gently shaking it to hear the contents shifting inside. He focused on every sound and sensation, analysing the package with surprising seriousness. After a brief moment of consideration, he came to the conclusion that it was not something dangerous containing within it.
Lili then took the box as well. She, out of all the people present, understood more within the arts of trickery from when she was still a part of the Soma Familia. Her inspection was thorough and methodical, her hands moving with familiarity. After analysing it as well, she too confirmed it to be something safe.
With their suspicions eased, they all went into their run-down home again. The familiar creaks of the structure greeted them as they descended into their living area in the basement of the building. Once gathered, they decided to finally open the packaging. Inside, what they saw proved to be true as formal clothes neatly folded, exactly as promised.
All four of them seemed a little confused by this. Did they really get this for free? Were their customs always like this? Was there really any hidden intention behind this sudden kindness? The questions lingered in the air as they stared at the contents.
Most important of all—
"How the hell do they actually know of my measurements?!" Aurelius said in utter shock and confusion. It was certain that the measuring of his clothes was the hardest thing ever to overcome after coming to this world, if not, by far the hardest. The accuracy left him genuinely unsettled.
The Hestians then tried the clothes on. One by one, they examined the fit and feel, confirming that everything matched perfectly. Although still wary, being satisfied with their gifted clothes, they cancelled their plans to go shopping for replacements. With that matter settled, they began setting their individual plans for the day, the earlier tension gradually fading into a sense of cautious relief.
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Aurelius was once again seen walking through the streets of Orario. From the outside, judging by the steady rhythm of his steps, most people would assume he was simply taking another morning stroll. His posture was loose, his shoulders relaxed, and the expression he wore carried an easy calm. From his body language alone, relaxation seemed to adorn him completely. And in truth, he was relaxed at that moment. Though, not for the reason one might expect from someone casually wandering the city streets. The calm surrounding him existed for an entirely different purpose, one that stood in stark contrast to the peaceful image he presented.
He was heading toward the Dungeon, toward the Tower of Babel.
With his familia's plans to shop for clothes canceled due to the generous gifts provided by their banquet host's, Aurelius had chosen to redirect his time elsewhere. Rather than letting the day pass idly, he decided to descend into the Dungeon. His intention was simple in wording but far heavier in meaning: training. And by training, he meant nothing less than utter slaughter. He intended to warm up his muscles, to sharpen his movements, and to prepare himself for whatever conflict lay ahead. With the Apollo incident seemingly set in motion, he wanted his battle senses keen and responsive. Every step he took toward the tower carried that quiet resolve, a determination hidden beneath his relaxed exterior.
He had wanted to invite his two comrades, Bell and Lili, to accompany him. However, they ultimately chose otherwise. Their reasoning was straightforward, they preferred to take a stroll of their own, to clear their minds and enjoy a moment of ease. After everything that had happened, the simple act of walking through the city offered them a different kind of preparation.
'Well, if that's what they want, then it's fine by me,' Aurelius thought as he considered his companions. He held no objection to their choice. In his eyes, they would be more than capable when the time came to face the Apollo Familia. They were no longer the same individuals they once were within the original timeline. Growth, experience, and hard-earned strength as well as the gifts had reshaped them. In fact, Aurelius believed the two of them could likely handle most members of the Apollo Familia on their own, aside from their captain, of course. That thought alone reinforced his confidence as he continued toward the Dungeon, his calm demeanor unchanged despite the anticipation of the battles ahead.
As he walked, he noticed something in the distance ahead, or more accurately, a certain someone seen from behind. The sudden sense of familiarity made the titan man squint his eyes, trying to sharpen his focus on what he was seeing. His gaze lingered, carefully tracing the silhouette as recognition tugged at the back of his mind.
He observed that the individual possessed long green hair flowing down to the waist, with a sliver pair of ears visible from behind as they flopped gently toward the front. The ears resembled those of a dog, belonging specifically to the long, drooping ears of a dachshund species. The details were distinct enough that Aurelius found himself staring a moment longer, making sure his eyes weren't deceiving him. On top of that, the tail the person possessed was of medium length, carrying a feathery-like style texture of fur that swayed subtly with movement, reinforcing the impression he was forming.
Seeing these unmistakable features, Aurelius immediately recognized who the individual was. The realization struck him almost all at once, causing his thoughts to sharpen.
'Wait,' Aurelius thought, clarity descending upon him. 'Isn't that Zephyra?'
With that realization settling firmly in his mind, Aurelius quickened his pace toward the person, who, by his observations, could only be the Lightning Empress of the Freyans as he is intending to greet her in person. The opportunity he had hoped for, the chance to get to know her better the next time they met, now stood right in front of him. He had no intention of letting such timing slip away. His steps became more deliberate as he closed the distance, driven by a quiet sense of purpose.
He approached the girl in question with clear seriousness, focused on achieving what he set out to do. His motivation stemmed from a deeper curiosity as the need to find out whether she was like him, someone reincarnated into this world. The possibility lingered strongly in his mind. For all he knew, the girl he was trying to understand might have been a man in a past life. There was nothing wrong with that in his view; it was simply information he preferred to confirm before jumping to conclusions.
After all, gathering answers mattered. And in his experience, the more connections he built and understood, the better.
Aurelius, now within close distance of the green-haired girl as he approached her, decided to call out her name. Seeing her figure ahead of him and recognizing her immediately, he raised his voice without hesitation.
"Zephyra!" Aurelius called. His voice rang throughout the crowd along the street he was walking on, loud and clear enough to draw attention. Several bystanders turned their heads at the sudden shout, their curiosity briefly captured. Among those who reacted was the very person he intended to reach.
Zephyra, who had been leisurely walking in the direction of the tower, turned towards the source of the voice that had spoken her name. She glanced over her shoulder to see who had called out to her. What greeted her sight was a hulking, titan of a man with long, wild blonde hair running toward her. The goofy, wide smile spread across his face instantly told her exactly who he was.
"Oh! Aurelius!" Zephyra greeted back, calling his name in return. She fully turned around to face him as he closed the remaining distance. Once he arrived, she spoke with a friendly tone. "Nice to meet you here. What are you doing out in the streets this morning?"
"Hello there," Aurelius replied with an easy grin. He then answered her question. "Well, I'm heading toward the dungeon right now. Had to warm up my muscles and my battle reflexes. I can't have them getting dulled because of procrastination. Then I saw you and decided to greet you."
As he spoke, his gaze briefly shifted toward her figure, doing so subtly enough that the green-haired girl did not notice. He saw that she was wearing some casual adventurers clothing with some iron shoulder pads and an iron breast plate. She wore brown leather gloves that looked like of high quality and black boots. The clothing that she wore were some blue shirt and a tight, yet flexible looking pants, outlining the curve and thickness of her thighs.
Though, He found himself wondering why her chest area did not seem as prominent as before. 'Eh, maybe because of some bandages or something wrapped around them, he thought. I guess it makes sense. It's easier to fight that way… though it might be uncomfortable.'
Zephyra nodded in understanding, acknowledging his explanation. However, she raised an eyebrow slightly. "You're going to the dungeon alone?" she asked, confusion evident in her voice at the thought of him heading there without his comrades.
"Yeah. They didn't want to come today," Aurelius admitted, a faint tinge of sadness slipping into his tone. He elaborated on the situation. "At first, we planned to go shopping for clothes. It was for an invitation to a banquet a familia hosted. But the hosts were kind enough to give us the needed clothing for free."
Zephyra's eyebrow lifted again, this time with deeper confusion at the information. "For free? Why would they do that?" she asked.
As the words left her mouth, a realization formed in her mind. Her expression shifted slightly as her thoughts aligned with the answer she suspected. "Let me guess, It's the Apollo Familia, isn't it?"
Aurelius showed a sliver of surprise at her response. While he had already known that the Apollo Familia gifted tuxedos and dresses to their guests other than them, he had not fully believed it to be true. Hearing Zephyra say it so confidently made the idea seem far more real to him, even if he personally found the gesture a waste of their own wealth.
Well, what does he care anyways?
"How'd you know? Did they invite your familia as well?" Aurelius asked, feigning ignorace.
"Yeah," Zephyra answered. "The invitation asks for three members of the familia to attend. I was picked as one of them… even though I didn't want to…" she muttered the last part, her annoyance slipping through as she thought about being selected to go alongside two of her comrades.
Aurelius, however, caught her muttering. He let's out a haughty laugh at her frustration. "Haha! I feel you. Unfortunately, I only have three members in my familia, myself included. So I had to go no matter what."
Zephyra let out a soft chuckle in agreement. "Yeah… you're right. It is annoying."
Both Aurelius and Zephyra laughed at their shared irritation, the moment easing the mood between them. When their laughter faded, Zephyra spoke again.
"Well, right now I'm heading to the dungeon to let off some steam too," she said. "Mind if I tag along?"
Aurelius nodded readily at her request. "Yeah, sure. Why not? The more people joining me, the more those goblins get their heads smashed."
Zephyra giggled lightly, accepting the offer without hesitation. "Alright then. Let's go."
With their decision made, the two set off together toward the Tower of Babel, beneath which the dungeon awaited. Their pace was steady as they moved through the streets, weaving past pedestrians and fellow adventurers.
As they passed by, many people could not help but notice the pair. Their contrasting appearances and easy camaraderie gave off the impression of a perfect couple, much to their complete ignorance.
"What a lucky guy…" one male adventurer muttered quietly, watching Aurelius walk beside Zephyra as they headed toward their dungeon dive together.
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